Papa Khalifa Sankaré (born 15 August 1984) is a Senegalese former professional footballer who plays as a central defender.

Khalifa Sankaré
Sankaré with Asteras Tripolis in 2014
Personal information
Full name Papa Khalifa Sankaré
Date of birth (1984-08-15) 15 August 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Dakar, Senegal
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
2001–2003 AS Douanes
2003–2005 Boulogne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Boulogne 32 (2)
2007–2010 Zulte Waregem 9 (2)
2008–2009Oostende (loan) 29 (7)
2009–2010Mons (loan) 39 (3)
2010–2011 Olympiacos Volou 30 (3)
2011–2012 Aris 23 (1)
2012–2016 Asteras Tripolis 95 (9)
2013Al-Arabi (loan) 2 (0)
2016–2018 Cádiz 34 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 June 2017

Club career

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Early career

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Sankaré was born in Dakar, Senegal. He started his football career at AS Douanes but moved to French team US Boulogne in 2003, and appeared with the latter's first team during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. In July 2007 he was transferred to Belgian club S.V. Zulte Waregem, but spent the majority of his spell on loan at K.V. Oostende[1] and R.A.E.C. Mons.[2]

Greece

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In July 2010, Sankaré transferred to Greek team Olympiacos Volou. He made his debut for the club on 28 August, starting in a 1–0 away win against Panionios, and subsequently established himself as a regular starter at the club.

In the 2011 summer, after Olympiacos' relegation due to a match-fixing scandal, Sankaré was released by the club and joined Aris Thessaloniki in the same division. He scored his first goal for Aris on his debut, netting the first in a 1–1 draw at Ergotelis.

Sankaré joined Super League side Asteras Tripolis from Aris on a free transfer in July 2012.[3] He reached fan acclaim by scoring a stunning bicycle kick in the play-off match against PAS Giannina on 15 May 2013.

Kuwait / Asteras Tripolis return

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In May 2013, Sankaré joined Kuwaitian club Al-Arabi. In January of the following year, after being rarely used, he returned to his former club Asteras Tripolis, becoming an immediate first-choice.

Sankaré was also an undisputed starter for Asteras during the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League run, which saw the club reach the group stage for the first time in their history. He also scored a goal in a 1–1 away draw against Finnish club RoPS on 17 July 2014.[4]

Cádiz

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On 13 August 2016, Sankaré signed a one-year contract with Spanish Segunda División club Cádiz CF.[5]

Honours

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Club

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Asteras Tripoli

References

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  1. ^ "Zulte Waregem leent Sankaré uit aan Oostende" [Zulte Waregem loan Sankaré to Oostende] (in Dutch). Het Laatste Nieuws. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Deux nouveaux renforts à Mons" [Two new additions to Mons] (in French). Walfoot. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Khalifa Sankaré signe à Asteras Tripolis comme prévu" [Khalifa Sankaré signs with Asteras Tripolis as expected] (in French). Wiw Sport. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  4. ^ "RoPS 1–1 Asteras". UEFA.com. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Khalifa Sankaré refuerza la zaga amarilla" [Khalifa Sankaré bolsters the amarilla defence] (in Spanish). Cádiz CF. 13 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
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